Male’ Maldives, 18th October 2023 – The Maldives Association for Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) unveiled the outcomes of a recent survey, shedding light on the precarious state of the nation’s tourism industry. Abdulla Giyas, the President of MATATO, presented the findings of the survey during a press conference. It’s worth noting that the survey encompassed input from over 2,000 individuals, comprising not only local agents but also resorts, guesthouses, liveaboards, tourism experts, and small to medium businesses operating within the tourism sector.
The survey pinpointed several critical concerns and requests, as follows:
- The absence of regulations governing local travel agents.
- The necessity for a taxation system that protects local agents.
- Issues concerning unfair competition among online agencies.
- Challenges related to bank payments.
- The oversight of foreign travel agents and agencies.
Moreover, MATATO’s survey brought to light the fact that despite welcoming 1.4 million tourists this year, the occupancy rate in terms of bed capacity, which is set at 62,000, still falls short of the 50% mark.
The association also brought attention to the potential inadequacy of the Ministry of Tourism’s methods for gauging tourist arrivals.
During a press briefing, Mohamed Shaaz Waleed, Vice President of MATATO, stressed that the Maldivian tourism sector currently finds itself in a precarious position. He underscored that the recommendations stemming from the survey represent practical measures suggested by tourism professionals to tackle the situation, urging the incoming administration to seriously consider their implementation.
Reiterating Shaaz’s statements, Giyas emphasized the significance of voicing the concerns of the tourism sector in this period of transition. He noted that MATATO, in collaboration with stakeholders, members, and local agents, is actively advocating for the adoption of these recommendations.
Giyas also made a point of highlighting that the last comparable survey conducted in the Maldives dates back to 2011.
